ECOFEMINISM IN MYTHIC FICTION: ENVISAGING SITA AS NATURE’S CHILD IN THE FOREST OF ENCHANTMENTS

Abstract

One of the timeless epics of India, the Ramayan is reinterpreted by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni through her novel The Forest of Enchantments. She sticks to the original story, does not fictionalize Valmiki's legend, and exhibits Sita's nature-loving side. Chitra Banerjee makes the text more accessible and relatable to modern readers by humanizing the character of Sita which was otherwise deified in the canonical versions to suit the patriarchal standards of piety. The paper tries to understand how Sita fits into a modern avatar of a feminist, particularly an ecofeminist. In the paper, Sita is studied under the lens of ecofeminism to prove that the ancient goddess was nature’s child at heart. No society can progress where neither Stri nor Prakriti is given their due respect. Women must realize that their subjugation at the hands of patriarchy is in proximity to the exploitation of nature. So, only she can raise a voice against such exploitative patriarchal ideas to release herself and mother earth. Women are the true protectors and saviours of ecology. Hence, we see Sita as an ecofeminist who is out there to protect, conserve and guard nature.